Leaving Church??

[karerolynn]

I no longer desire to be a part of a church that my husband and I have been members in for over 10 years. We have talked and are praying about it. My husband has not received any leading from the Lord to leave so we are praying. I will continue to attend, however, until then, how should I conduct myself.? erplexed I don't believe I should withdraw from volunteering in the ministry because there is a need.

Thanks for any words of encouragement and wisdom

Lucee

 

[SEMO]

Why is it that you want to leave? Is there a different church you're more interested in going to? Or is there something bad happening at your church?

Whatever happens I think that it's a good thing that you're praying about it and still allowing God to use you to be a help in your church in the meantime. I hope you get an answer soon. I'll say a prayer for you.

 

[karerolynn]

Thank you for your prayers.

We are in a time of transitioning and change. There is a new pastor (which is fine with me).

What is not fine is how a bunch of drama among the members has surfaced.

Not that situations didn't occur before but now it seems to be one thing after the other. Maybe it seems more than it is because the church is in a time of change.

I don't care for mess or drama -but- on the other hand I know there is no perfect church. If there was when I get to it...you know....it would no longer be perfect.:fallenang

 

[PaperClip]

Hello....

transition is tough on a congregation.... I believe that you really don't want to leave your church, esp. since you said you want to stay on in your volunteer areas because there is a need.

I think you are just so frustrated with things and it is easier to just walk/run away. It's situations like this where the saints have to stand strong in faith.

It's time to pray for your church, for that pastor....because as you are feeling such frustration, imagine what that pastor is going through....

Usually when there's change like this, there's also the proverbial "shaking of the tree" to see who's truly rooted and grounded....

I thank the Lord that you are in prayer with your husband.... The Lord is faithful to answer and guide you.

Peace to you.

 

[Nice & Wavy]

I no longer desire to be a part of a church that my husband and I have been members in for over 10 years. We have talked and are praying about it. My husband has not received any leading from the Lord to leave so we are praying. I will continue to attend, however, until then, how should I conduct myself.? erplexed I don't believe I should withdraw from volunteering in the ministry because there is a need.

Thanks for any words of encouragement and wisdom

Lucee

I totally understand where you are coming from. Been there, done that.
We were in intense prayer and supplication with fasting before we made any moves.

Was in a ministry for 18 years before the dh and I knew it was time to move on and our church at the time was too in transition. However, we knew before the change that it was time to move on because the Lord had spoke to our hearts but we didn't move when He told us to and we went through a very difficult time before we were finally obedient.
As a result, we grew tremendously and God opened up doors we didn't think were possible.

You are doing the right thing to pray, but make sure you turn over your plate as well, so that way you know that it is God and not the enemy pulling you from your position. We know the Shephard's voice and the voice of a stranger we will not follow...that was our motto then and it still stands strong in us today.

Stand and after you have done all to stand...stand.

I will be praying for you and your husband that you will use wisdom and have understanding during these uncertain times. Just remember, you are there as the body of Christ and although there will be members that will challenge you in your walk...your mission should be clear.

Enjoy the journey!

Blessings.

 

[Guyaneek]

I totally understand where you are coming from. Been there, done that.
We were in intense prayer and supplication with fasting before we made any moves.

Was in a ministry for 18 years before the dh and I knew it was time to move on and our church at the time was too in transition. However, we knew before the change that it was time to move on because the Lord had spoke to our hearts but we didn't move when He told us to and we went through a very difficult time before we were finally obedient.
As a result, we grew tremendously and God opened up doors we didn't think were possible.

You are doing the right thing to pray, but make sure you turn over your plate as well, so that way you know that it is God and not the enemy pulling you from your position. We know the Shephard's voice and the voice of a stranger we will not follow...that was our motto then and it still stands strong in us today.

Stand and after you have done all to stand...stand.

I will be praying for you and your husband that you will use wisdom and have understanding during these uncertain times. Just remember, you are there as the body of Christ and although there will be members that will challenge you in your walk...your mission should be clear.
Enjoy the journey!

Blessings.

All of this!

 

[Monilove122]

I no longer desire to be a part of a church that my husband and I have been members in for over 10 years. We have talked and are praying about it. My husband has not received any leading from the Lord to leave so we are praying. I will continue to attend, however, until then, how should I conduct myself.? erplexed I don't believe I should withdraw from volunteering in the ministry because there is a need.

Thanks for any words of encouragement and wisdom

Lucee

Went through this as well and I know how distracting it can be to focus on the Word and uplifting God's kingdom when there is chaos going on around you. I wanted to leave my church as well and I will tell you one thing that helped me was going to fellowship with a different church at their early morning service a couple times a month before going to my church's regular service in addition to prayer. As you said we all know there is no such thing as a perfect church but when things really get out of hand it can be a mess. Going to the other church and hearing some dynamic word before going to my church really settled me and helped me to get through the crazy times. Now, things are settled at "home" and much better but in my fellowshipping with the other church I met some great people and have a great place to visit for conferences, special services they have, etc.

Praying for you sis!!!

 

[karerolynn]

Thank you, thank you my sisters. I am encouraged. . .I know that everything is going to be alright.

 

[SqrpioQutie]

i was going to post something similar to this, but i figured i'd just add in to this thread...

i will be separating from my current church home, due to some somewhat erratic behavior of the leadership (contradictions, comments that come across as threats, a super focus on money [like all money all the time] etc.)... it's uncomfortable and i've felt like i wasn't truly being fed there for quite some time, but i stayed mostly because of my mother...

so now everything has blown up, and my whole family seems like they're going to pack up and move... i'm just having a really tough time even wrapping my head around trying to find a new one... plus, i won't really be able to attend ANY sunday services regularly for the next year and a half due to school... so i know that'll also make it hard to find a new home...

this is the second time i've had to leave a church...

so, once you've ben led to the decision to leave, how do you find something new??

 

[Monilove122]

i was going to post something similar to this, but i figured i'd just add in to this thread...

i will be separating from my current church home, due to some somewhat erratic behavior of the leadership (contradictions, comments that come across as threats, a super focus on money [like all money all the time] etc.)... it's uncomfortable and i've felt like i wasn't truly being fed there for quite some time, but i stayed mostly because of my mother...

so now everything has blown up, and my whole family seems like they're going to pack up and move... i'm just having a really tough time even wrapping my head around trying to find a new one... plus, i won't really be able to attend ANY sunday services regularly for the next year and a half due to school... so i know that'll also make it hard to find a new home...

this is the second time i've had to leave a church...

so, once you've ben led to the decision to leave, how do you find something new??

Ask God to lead you...that's it. I had friends and family that I asked and attended their service but I always prayed before I went that God would show me if that's where he wanted me to be. And I tell you, it really makes a difference because I went to one church that folks raved about, said the Pastor was awesome and it was just a great church. Girl, when I walked in the door I could feel the cult-like spirits all in that place (I have prayed for a STRONG sense of discernment since I was a teenager and God has blessed me with it), I didn't even stay for the entire service. That's why you just really have to be lead by God to go where He wants you to be, that's the only way. I ended up going to and joining a church an hour and a half away from where I lived at the time and it didn't make sense to me. Here I was driving this distance every weekend, staying with my cousin who attended this church, and spending no time at home. But even with the drama that we have now come out of, it was definitely where God wanted me to be.

I'll be praying with you!!!

 

[SqrpioQutie]

Ask God to lead you...that's it. I had friends and family that I asked and attended their service but I always prayed before I went that God would show me if that's where he wanted me to be. And I tell you, it really makes a difference because I went to one church that folks raved about, said the Pastor was awesome and it was just a great church. Girl, when I walked in the door I could feel the cult-like spirits all in that place (I have prayed for a STRONG sense of discernment since I was a teenager and God has blessed me with it), I didn't even stay for the entire service. That's why you just really have to be lead by God to go where He wants you to be, that's the only way. I ended up going to and joining a church an hour and a half away from where I lived at the time and it didn't make sense to me. Here I was driving this distance every weekend, staying with my cousin who attended this church, and spending no time at home. But even with the drama that we have now come out of, it was definitely where God wanted me to be.

I'll be praying with you!!!

thank you!!!... i know this is going to be a struggle, given the constraints... whewee, but it's worth it in the end...

 

[foxxymami]

I've been feeling this way too for the past couple of months. Not because the leadership or church members....just something I been feeling inside of me. There is some great advice in this thread. Thanks ladies, you all's advice helped me as well

 

[golden bronze]

I would encourage you to pray about this before making a move. I know what you're going through. Hang in there, and God will direct your path. Trust Him, and listen.

 

[Nice & Wavy]

I've been feeling this way too for the past couple of months. Not because the leadership or church members....just something I been feeling inside of me. There is some great advice in this thread. Thanks ladies, you all's advice helped me as well

Well, I'm glad that you are listening. God has such great plans for you and He wants to do so much in your life. Remember, listen to the voice of God and you will overcome anything!

Blessings.